Purdue WR transfer decommits from Michigan State

TJ Sheffield won’t be a Spartan and is again looking for a new school.

The Purdue wide receiver transfer who was previously committed to Michigan State but didn’t enroll in January backed off the verbal pledge via a post on social media Thursday afternoon.

“I am officially reopening my recruitment today,” Sheffield wrote. “I will be available to transfer from Purdue University at the end of this semester. DM me if you are interested.”

Sheffield, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, is a fifth-year senior with one season of eligibility remaining. He had 118 receptions for 1,209 yards and 11 touchdowns in 46 career games with the Boilermakers. Sheffield posted at least 30 catches for 300 yards with multiple touchdowns each of the last three years.

Oregon State’s Jonathan Smith was hired as Michigan State’s new coach in November and there was expected roster turnover both ways through the portal. The Spartans added nine scholarship transfers in January, including quarterback Aidan Chiles, who played for Smith as a true freshman last year.

Sheffield, who announced his commitment to Michigan State on Dec. 18, wasn’t one of the midyear enrollees. Neither was Texas A&M transfer cornerback Tony Grimes, who flipped his commitment UNLV. Luke Newman, an FCS All-American offensive tackle from Holy Cross, committed to the Spartans on Jan. 20 but hasn’t enrolled yet.

Michigan State receiver Montorie Foster, who led the team with 43 catches for 576 yards and three touchdowns last season, is back for a fifth year. There’s also young depth but the Spartans, who begin spring practice on Tuesday, need others to step up this fall.